Tesla Sales Plummet in Germany and U.K., Hitting Two-Year Low

Key markets in Europe show a significant decline in Tesla sales amid rising alternative options and mounting backlash against the company’s leadership.

In April, Tesla's vehicle sales in Germany and the United Kingdom have dipped to their lowest levels since 2021, highlighting a troubling trend for the U.S. automaker in a market that is otherwise embracing electric vehicles. According to newly released figures, Germany saw a staggering 46% decline in new Tesla vehicle registrations, while the U.K. recorded a drop of 62%. Interestingly, this slump occurred despite an overall rise in electric vehicle sales throughout both nations.

Similar trends were observed across Europe, with Tesla sales plummeting over 80% in Sweden and down 59% in France. Analysts suggest that a delayed rollout of Tesla’s updated Model Y might be a contributing factor to this downturn.

However, deeper issues may be at play, with many observers linking the decline to a growing backlash against political controversies involving CEO Elon Musk. The sentiment is particularly strong in light of recent tariff policies and Musk's perceived alignment with far-right political movements, which have led some European consumers to reconsider their support of U.S. products.

Matthias Schmidt, a market analyst at Schmidt Automotive Research, stated, “The data from April strongly indicates that this isn’t merely a temporary dip related to a model update; Tesla’s challenges in Europe appear to be rooted in broader socio-political sentiments regarding Mr. Musk.” As competition heats up in the electric vehicle market, Tesla will need to navigate these complex dynamics to regain its foothold in Europe.